Plastic compound from pyroxyline and mica



UNITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

GEORGE M. MOYVBRAY, OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLA'STIC COMPOUND FROM PYROXYLINE AND MICA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 294,661, dated March 4, 1884.

' Application filed October 27, 1883. (No specimens.)

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, GEORGE M. MOWBRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Adams, county of Berkshire, State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Plastic Compounds from Pyroxyline and Mica, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of plastic compounds having soluble pyroxyline for their base, being, in fact, a new composition of matter consisting of soluble pyroxyline with mica in a fine state of division, together with coloring-matter and any inert substance-that is, any substance compatible with pyroxylinesuch as oxide zinc, sulphate barytes, &c., to give body to the compound when required.

I do not claim as of my invention the admixture of coloring-matter, of oxide zinc, sulphate barytes, or like matter, suitable materials when incorporated with soluble pyroxyline to give theresulting compoundsolidity or body, for these have long been used for that purpose, but mention the fact that these materials maybe added to or used in conjunction with my invention, which consists of mica incorporated in soluble pyroxyline, to which the above-mentioned materials may be added with pleasing effect.

To enable others to avail of my invention, I will now describe several methods of forming this new composition of matter.

I first divide up the mica, either by rasping, grating, or grinding, and because during this process the mica is apt to be discolored, losing its brilliant sparkle, I prefer, on sifting same through a fine sieve, to reject the first or very finely-powdered portions, that first pass through the meshes of the sieve, since these usually contain dust, dirt, or abrasions from the grinding-machine, and select the succeeding portions as being free from these impurities. The mica'is next mixed with the soluble pyroxyline, both being in a fine state of division, and if camphor is intended to be used as the solvent of the pyroxyline, this may be now added in finely-divided state, and thorough mixture effected in any convenient manner viz., by a tumbling-box or stirring-machine.

A variety of tints of color may be incorporated with the compound after same has comful appearance, the variety of colors, the sparkling refiections of the mica, and the pyroxyline, with its translucent properties, each contributing to the result.

Another method of combining mica with pyroxyline consists in first preparing sheets of collodion pyroxyline, either colored, transparent, or opaque, moistening the surface with a solvent of pyroxyline, and scattering over the surface extremely-minute scales of mica, or scales varying in surface, then superimposing another very thin sheet of collodion pyroxyline and subjecting the two sheets to warmth and pressure, so as to form a compound sheet enveloping the mica scales. The superimposed sheet should of course be as transparent as possible, and very thin, in order to obtain the best effects.

Another mode is by preparing. very thin sheets of mica, cut into any suitable pattern, and inclosing same between two sheets of pyroxyline moistened with a solvent thereof, and then subjecting same to warmth and pressure until complete union occurs between the body sheet and superficial sheet, between which the mica, either perforated or patterned, will be securely retained.

By these and analogous combinations of mica, pyroxyline, coloring-matters, and inert matters, hereinbefore enumerated, a very brilliant heterogeneous mass or sheets can be formed, conveying the impression, at a first glance, that fused glass has been welded over the mica and other materials. When mica in masses of two or three ounces weight has been exposed to an intense red heat, 'it exfoliates, loses its transparency, and reflects light so as to resemble matt silver.

In my invention I do not limit myself to the use of transparent mica alone, but include also mica that has been previously heated until 1 ing of mica, soluble pyroxyline, coloring-mat it exhibits this silvery appearance, whether it ters, and inert substances, to serve as a body he used in the form of powder, ofseales, or thereto, substantially as described.

whether perforated or patterned, as described. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 5 \Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to hand and seal in the presence of two subscribsecnre by Letters Patent, is ing witnesses.

l. The new composition of matter consist- GEO. M. MOXVBRAY. [In ing of mica and soluble pyroxyline, substan- \Vitnesses: tially as described. J. G. J ARVIS,

1o 2. The new composition of matter consist F. H. SCI-IAAKE. 

